Hark, Hear the Bells: WT Orchestra’s Annual Christmas Concert Set for Dec. 3

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Joyous carols will ring out at the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday concert.

“I Heard the Bells! Music of the Christmas Season,” in conjunction with the WT Choirs, will be performed at 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 3 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus.

Admission is free, but tickets are required.

“From timeless carols to contemporary favorites, experience the spirit of the season through the magic of music,” said Dr. Mark Bartley, director of orchestral activities, the Lilith Brainard Professor of Music and associate dean for music in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. “Bring your loved ones and immerse yourself in the festive ambiance, where the twinkling lights, joyful tunes, and—yes—the bells create a perfect harmony of Christmas magic.”

Angela Allen, WT’s director for engaged citizenship, will narrate Mack Wilberg’s “Longfellow’s Christmas.”

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Angela for the first time,” Bartley said. “Her authoritative voice brings the tale of how Henry Wadsworth Longfellow came to write his 1863 poem ‘I Heard the Bells’ to life. That origin story is the centerpiece of our rendering of the beloved carol based on it.”

The WT Harp Studio—directed by Dr. Jenny Miller, WT instructor of harp—will welcome the audiences with prelude music.

Also performing are the Palo Duro High School Chorale and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Mark Bailey.

The WT Choirs— under the direction of Dr. Sean Pullen, professor of music and director of choral activities for the School of Music—will perform Pullen’s arrangements of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “O, Happy Day!”

Also on the concert bill are compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Matt Riley, Ēriks Ešenvalds and more, including “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Russian Christmas Music” and more.

Those who can’t attend in person can still see “Music of the Christmas Season” when it airs 8 p.m. Dec. 22 and 10 p.m. Dec. 24 on Panhandle PBS.

A roster of orchestra and choir members is below.

“Music of the Christmas Season” is one of several holiday activities on tap at WT and in Canyon in coming days.

President Walter V. and Mary Wendler’s annual Christmas reception and the Festival of Lights are set for 4 and 6 p.m. Nov. 29, respectively.

Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum’s Christmas Open House will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2, and Canyon Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas in Canyon events will kick off at 4 p.m. Dec. 2, including the Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. around the downtown square, followed by the lighting of the Canyon Christmas tree and fireworks.

Other upcoming holiday programming will include WT Opera’s performances of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall, and the WT Chamber Singers’ Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in Northen Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for “Amahl” and free for the Chamber Singers.

Fostering an appreciation for the arts and a strong relationship with the community are critical aspects of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $150 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

“Music of the Christmas Season” roster

Choir roster

Soprano

Sarah Boydston—Amarillo, TX, Junior, Music Education

Selestial Calderon—El Paso, TX, Senior, Music Therapy

Keeli Crabtree—Placitas, NM, Junior, Biology, Pre-Veterinarian

Julia Douglas—Wichita, KS, Freshman, Music Therapy

Sarah Estes—Turpin, OK, Sophomore, Vocal Performance

Brinklee Fairchild—Midland, TX, Freshman, Vocal Performance

Hannah Felker—Amarillo, TX, Junior, Business Management

Grace Gaertner—Whitehouse, TX, Senior, Music Education

Joli Goebel—Amarillo, TX, Junior, Music Therapy

Lia Gonzalez—Brenham, TX, Freshman, Music Therapy

Bailey Heiller—Canyon, TX, Sophomore, Psychology

Monica Hernandez—Canyon, TX, Freshman, Early Childhood Education

Erin Hinds—Amarillo, TX, Senior, Vocal Performance/Instrumental Education

Gracie Ingham—Amarillo, TX, Senior, Political Science

Taylor Lindley—Pampa, TX, Graduate Student, Vocal Performance

Kylee Novak—Amarillo, TX, Freshman, Early Childhood Education

Sauncy Reddick—Beaver, OK, Senior Music Education

Lorelei Sicks—Amarillo, TX, Junior, Music Therapy

Karley Thomas—Amarillo, TX, Freshman, Wildlife Biology, Pre-Veterinarian

Alto 

McKenna Cooper—Midlothian, TX, Senior, Music Therapy

Saralyn Corey—Dallas, TX, Senior, Music Therapy

Geraldine Dingman—Frisco, TX, Junior, Vocal Performance

Catherine Dockery—Wichita Falls, TX, Sophomore, Music Therapy

Isabella Escobar—Borger, TX, Junior, Studio Art

Jincy Fuller—McKinney, TX, Junior, Piano Pedagogy

Rebecca Hall—Show Low, AZ, Junior, English Education

Abigail Hite—Nashville, TN, Senior, Music Education, Instrumental Performance

Anna Holcomb—Amarillo, TX, Junior, Psychology

Holly Holcomb—Amarillo, TX, Senior, Music Therapy

Lucy James—Lubbock, TX, Sophomore, English

Austen Jones—Amarillo, TX, Junior, Music Technology

Brooklynn King—Pearland, TX, Sophomore, Vocal Performance

Zoe Kizziar—Canyon, TX, Freshman, Music Education

Hannah Lannou—Canyon, TX, Freshman, Theater Education

Danielle Mackeown—Amarillo, TX, Freshman, Marketing

Edna Orona—El Paso, TX, Sophomore, Music Education

Charlotte Plotts—Canyon, TX, Junior, Mathematics

Faith Powell—Amarillo, TX, Junior, Music Education

Elaina Robinson—Amarillo, TX, Senior, Elementary Education

Zara Salazar—Canyon, TX, Freshman, Music Education

Tenor 

Rayden Caster—Canyon, TX, Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering

Connor Cooksey—San Antonio, TX, Sophomore, Music Education

Caedon Dietz—Dresden, Germany, Sophomore, Music Technology

Kyler Hilton—Amarillo, TX, Sophomore, Music Education

Brady Fellers—Borger, TX, Junior, Music Education

Christopher Karr—Perryton, TX, Senior, Music Technology

Benjamin Kerley—Amarillo, TX, Freshman, Business Management

Alberto Macias—Hart, TX, Senior, Studio Art and Management

Joshua Moreno—Canyon, TX, Junior Music Education

Gideon Talley—Canyon, TX, Sophomore, Music Technology

Bass

Seth Cavenar—Washington, MO, Freshman, Music Education

Korbin Cole—Pampa, TX, Freshman, Music Education

Ethan Evers—Canyon, TX, Digital Communication and Media

Sergio Gonzalez—Midland, TX, Post Graduate, Music Therapy

Eduardo Guaderrama—Friona, TX, Graduate Student, Choral Conducting

Kelton Harbison—Canyon, TX, Sophomore, Music Education

Madison Jonas—Amarillo, TX, Senior, Vocal Performance

Ethan Klein—Sioux Falls, SD, Junior, Computer Information Systems

Elliott Lewis—College Station, TX, Freshman, Music Education            

Mark Pinkerton—Canyon, TX, Freshman, Mechanical Engineering

Logan Warren—Littlefield, TX, Senior, Music Education

Orchestra roster

1st Violin

Jose Luis Forero Daza, Bogotá, Columbia [Music Performance grad]

Josenir Junior, Criciúma, Brazil [Music Performance grad]

João Paulo Grissoe, Linz, Brazil [Music Performance soph]

Cade Foard, Amarillo [Accounting soph]

Indra Aguirre Sankar, Bogotá, Columbia [Music Performance grad]

Tatiana Kolesnik, Saint Petersburg, Russia [Music Performance senior]

Hollie White, Plainview [Music Performance soph]

2nd Violin

Keila Batista, São José, Brazil [Music Performance grad]

Marissa Partida, Victoria [Music Performance [senior]

Luis Lozano, Bogotá, Columbia [Music Performance grad]

Michael Mata, Victoria [Music Performance senior]

Cassidy DeMarais, Rockwall [Music Education, junior]

McKenzie Bonner, Midland [Music Education, senior]

Elena Moreno, Amarillo [Music Education junior]

Viola

Jasmin Caldera, Amarillo [Health Sciences junior]

Patrick Daly-Williams, Amarillo [Music Education, sophomore]

Mia Brandyberry, Amarillo [English, Language Arts, Reading, senior]

Kendall Uribe, El Paso [Music Education freshman]

J’Sean Berillo, Lubbock [Music Performance freshman]

Robert Hansen [WT Faculty]

Violoncello

Anna Ng, Amarillo [Biology junior]

Eduardo Esparza, Amarillo [Music Performance freshman]

Rodrigo Alonzo, Amarillo [Music Performance junior]

Bethany Mueller, Amarillo [Music Performance grad]

Katherine Cook, Midland [Music Therapy soph]

Christian Morris, Amarillo [Social Science soph]

Tristan Tilman, Alamogordo, NM [Music Industry senior]

Drake Klepzig, Mt. Pleasant [Animal Science freshman]

Double Bass

Emily Arciniega, McKinney [Music Education junior]

Ryan Evans, Amarillo [Music Education junior]

Jose Gerardo Gardea Yepiz, El Paso [Music Performance senior]

Joe David Romo, Amarillo [Music Education senior]

Marcus Curnutte, Midland [Music Education junior]

Carson King, Rockdale [Music Education soph]

Flute

Broderick A. McQuarters, Tulsa, OK [Music Performance grad]

Kyndahl Britton, Pflugerville [Music Performance junior]

Alejandra Mulgado, Clovis, NM [Music Performance grad]

Oboe

Tobin Brooks, Canyon [Music Education senior]

Marissa Portillo, Lubbock [Music Industry freshman]

English Horn

Abigail Hite, Nashville, TN [Music Performance senior]

Clarinet

Dayton Scholz, Amarillo [Music Education junior]

Joey Henriquez, Arlington [Music Industry senior]

Kaitlyn Rubinski, Amarillo [Music Education, junior]

Bassoon

Kegan Otoole, Friendswood [Business Administration junior]

Meghan Brooks, Canyon [Music Education senior]

Horn

Norrin Hodgson, Odessa [Music Education senior]

Christopher Santiago, Odessa [Music Education junior]

Carlie Marcotte, Lewisville [Music Education senior]

Kinslea Blau, Odessa [Music Education freshman]

Kevin Olivas, Amarillo [Music Performance freshman]

Trumpet

Emily Sotelo, Midland [Music Performance grad]

Brayden York, Odessa [Music Education junior]

Gisselle Martinez, Amarillo [Music Education freshman]

Trombone

Abraham Wood, Floresville [Music Performance senior]

Spencer Owens, Levelland [Music Education junior]

Bass Trombone

Justin Slaughter, Odessa [Music Education senior]

Tuba

Lucas Martinez, Lewisville [Music Education senior]

Percussion

Hien Doan, Amarillo [Music Education senior]

Caleb Martin, Plainview* [Music Performance grad]

Colton Gallandat, Joshua [Music Education junior]

Mason McWest, Amarillo [Music Education soph]

Brandon Garcia, Amarillo [Music Education soph]

Aidan Caballero, Odessa [Music Education soph]

Harp

Luke Rodriguez, Rosenberg* [Music Technology senior]

—WT—